April 2015 Newsletter from JoLene’s Sewing School

April 2015 Newsletter

Upcoming Events, Summer Camp Opportunities, Sewing Tips, and More

Greetings!

Hello! Spring has sprung early and it is glorious to watch everything come alive. I’ve been enjoying my new flowers and lovely weather, and I also enjoy the rain. A recent windstorm took out part of our big tree in the back yard, but it luckily just missed hitting our trampoline! There are only two months left of after-school classes, but there is a lot happening during these last two months! See below for more information, and all my best for your spring showers and flowers!

Multnomah County Fair

The Multnomah County Fair is a highlight of my sewing school’s annual events, and I’ve been talking to students about it for the last month or so.

Just knowing that they might enter a fair where a judge will look at their project helps them to pay more attention to detail and become more skilled in their sewing. The benefit of careful work is one of the most important part of participating, whether or not they win a prize (but is a bonus if it happens!).

Consider encouraging your child to enter the fair; having a public place to showcase work is an incredible motivator! Here are details of how and when to enter:

Fair will be May 23 – 25th, 2015, from noon to 7:00 PM each day, at Oaks Park in the Sellwood Area. Admission and parking are both free.

Entries need to be to me by Wednesday, May 20 by 9:00 PM

Entrants may submit one Item per lot (one shirt or one dress, etc.), with a maximum of four items. (If you want to enter them yourself rather than going through me, you can enter more.) You don’t have to be present to win or enter, so even if you’ll be out of town you can submit items for entry.

Logistics: I will take all the entries to the fair on May 21st and will pick them up on May 25. For entries that I submit on your behalf, you must have my permission to pick up items from the fair yourself. Fair officials won’t let you take them unless I give the okay. Also, the fair won’t release any items before 7:00 PM. I will bring the entries to my house and give it to you the week after the fair.

Fashion Show & Second Annual Picnic

This year’s fashion show will be held at my home studio and will include a picnic!

Mark your calendars for June 20, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. The fashion show will be held first with the picnic following, about 5:00 PM.

For the picnic, I will provide hamburger, hot dogs, buns, condiments, and beverage. I am asking that each family bring a salad or dessert to share.

For the fashion show:

Each child can model two outfits. They need not match.

Each outfit can include as many items as you wish. For instance, a student can wear shorts and a sport shirt while carrying a bag or stuffed animal that they made.

Students can wear something they did not make, such as wanting to model a top but did not make pants.

Please have your child wear their first modeling outfit and bring their second outfit to change into.

This will be a great gathering! Please sign up with me the items that you child is modeling and what food items you are bringing. We will have this rain or shine; outside for sun and inside for rain!

Other Dates to Note

May 29 is the last day of after school classes.

I take off the first two weeks of June for vacation, so there will be no classes during this time.

Recap of Past Camps

The sewing camps held over spring vacation were great! Both camps were full and we had so much fun.

Who’s Hooting Camp is always a favorite and this time was no different. We made owl bags, owl pillows, and pajama pants. One girl made a nightgown with a matching one for her doll.

In the Sewing Supply Camp we made scissor holders. pin cushions, sewing bags, and donut pillows.

Sign Up For Summer Camps!

Camps start the June 15th and go through to the third week of August. All camps are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, either 9:00 am – 12:00 PM, or 1:00 – 4:00 PM.

June 15, 16, 17

#1 9-12: Summer Outfit Camp

#2 1-4: Who’s Hooting

June 22, 23, 24

#3 9-12: Hearts Hearts Everywhere

#4 1-4: Fun at the Beach

June 29, 30, July 1

#5 9-12: Kitty Cat Quilt

#6 1-4: Circle Skirt and Cotton Tee

July 6, 7, 8

#7 9-12: Skirt a Day Camp

#8 Everything Fox Camp

July 13, 14, 15

9-12 and 1-4 Giving to Others Camp. CAMP IS FREE!

I think it is important to give to others that are in need for whatever reason. We will be making cancer hats, Christmas socks for servicemen and women, teddy bears for police department etc. Sports for eight kids per camp, and I need one adult per day to help. Donations of fabric will be appreciated but not mandatory. Must commit to all three days. Each child in camp will be able to keep one item each day, and I will provide a great snack each day

Tip of the Month: Reinforce Seams

Reinforce your seams by back stitching at the beginning and end of each seam. Start by sewing forward only a few stitches then back stitch all the way to the edge. Then sew to the end of the seam and then back stitch again and sew off the edge. This keep the seams together and makes it easier to sew the next step.

Project of the Month

Check out this adorable long-sleeved shirt made by a 9-year-old girl in my school. I love the way the orange pattern goes down the middle of the front of the shirt, and the blue pattern goes down the sleeves. The neck facing is perfect, too. She did a wonderful job! We are so happy how it turned out.